Town & Country Plein Air

 I had started this just a couple days ago. My neighbors have a beauty of an oak tree on their front yard and I gaze at it often as it goes through the seasons and the way the light hits it, magnificent. That day the shadows were fantastic, the shades and shapes defined...and then, well you know... rain. Wind and rain, not great for Plein-air.  It snuck up very quickly and I hustled before it got ugly ugly. Packed up, I went home and not fourty minutes later it was sunny and beautiful again! By that time I had moved on to other things on life's list of stuff to do. But... Today brought some nice sun and shadows and after finishing some commercial work I set up and finished "Big Oak" outside mid afternoon.  "Big Oak" oil on board 11x14

 The shadows moved fairly swiftly throughout the entire painting process so it was a fun race in a way. I roughed it our first in raw umber and then jumped is. "Shed and Shadows"     oil on board 11x14

 I had originally planned to drive up to a location I had in mind but I have been meaning to paint these trellises in the backyard. The light was right and both dogs were basking in the sun so I just went for it. The wind whipped up a couple times and I thought I had lost it but it held tight.  "Trellis'" oil on board 8x10

 Had a early busy morning and finally had a chance to set up a little after 11am. It was slightly overcast most of the time only with moments of sun coming through and when it did it was just to the left of me and not too intrusive. I did grab what shadows I could during those moments and finally laid my brushes down around 1pm. There are a few spots I will probably touch up if they bother me enough. I am also playing with the idea of placing my neighbors white dog in it but then I feel I lose an honesty about it.  "Saturday Afternoon" oil on board 11x14

Painted in fairly good conditions at an area on Burnt Mill Creek in Wilmington, NC. The sun did go in and out a number of times but I tried my best to focus and at one point took a photo which I looked at perhaps once. I am tempted to go back in and put one or two figures but I do enjoy the quiet moment of it just the same. This was done fairly quickly, about 70 minutes on board. I have not painted any large pieces lately and feel I am ready.  If you have not painted outdoors please do yourself a favor and get out and give it a shot. Like anything it takes a few times to get a groove and all your equipment straight but it's worth the initial aggravation . Burnt Mill Afternoon oil on board 8x10